Word Count: 518

"I'm closing up," Rosmerta says, keeping her back turned when she hears the door open. She silently scolds herself for not locking up sooner.

"I don't suppose you can serve a disgraced former Minister, then."

Rosmerta turns. A hint of a smile tugs at her lips when she sees Cornelius standing there. He's had his fair share of struggle and scandal, but she's always happy to see him… More happy than she would ever like to admit.

"I can make an exception," she decides, waving her wand. The door locks, and she summons a bottle of Ogden's Icegin.

"You know me too well, my dear."

Rosmerta prepares the drink and serves it before leaning against the bar. She waits in silence. It has been far too long since she's seen him. His resignation was announced three months ago, and she thinks that's around the last time.

"You're judging me."

She wants to deny it, but she can't quite bring herself to do it. "Perhaps."

He looks up, eyes narrowing. "What was I supposed to do? Do you think I wanted You-Know-Who to be back?" He takes a deep swallow of his drink. "I had it under control."

She wonders how he can be so stubborn. His stubbornness is exactly what's lead to all of this. If he hadn't spent his time trying to discredit Albus Dumbledore and Harry Potter, things could be different.

But what does she know? Who is she to try and act as an advisor. It doesn't matter that she was a Ravenclaw and top of her year, or that she has spent years listening to people discussing the most intricate workings of the political system. She is still a barmaid, and no one cares what she has to say.

"I swear your pride will be the death of all," she says. "It very nearly could have been."

"It was a mistake." His voice is soft, barely audible. Cornelius quickly drains the last of his drink. "It was a mistake, but how could I admit it? What would people think?"

She snorts. "If you wanted everyone to adore you, politics was not the right career path."

"Not everyone," he says, looking up. "Just you."

She feels a lump in her throat and quickly swallows it down. How did they get here, from his mistakes to… this?

"Another glass?" she asks.

Cornelius laughs and shakes his head. "Is it really that hard for you to accept?"

"I never said it was hard." She shrugs. "Just unexpected. I'm not even sure how to respond."

"Dinner is a good answer," he says. "Though, truth be told, I understand if you wouldn't want to be seen with someone like me."

Rosmerta sighs. She's always admired him, though she would never have admitted it. In those days, he was a powerful man, and she was a woman who was easily overlooked.

"I can have Henry tend the bar tomorrow night," she tells him. "Dinner sounds lovely."

Cornelius' eyes widen as he searches her face, seeming to look for a punchline. Finding none, he nods. "I suppose it's a date then."